Wireless communication apparatus for RF charging enclosures

Abstract

A RF wireless charging enclosure configured to enable efficient wireless charging of a CE device in the enclosure while also allowing wireless communication of the CE device to devices outside the enclosure. In one example, time multiplexing is used such that the CE device is enabled to either be charged, or to communicate with a device outside the enclosure. In another example, frequency division is used such that the CE device is charged at a first frequency, and simultaneously communicates through the enclosure at a second different frequency.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An RF device charger, comprising:
 an enclosure having at least one wall encompassing a cavity, wherein the at least one wall encompassing the cavity is configured to prevent communication of RF signals through the at least one wall; 
 a RF transmitter configured to generate an RF charge signal within the cavity at a first frequency, the RF charge signal configured to wirelessly charge a device within the cavity; and 
 a switch coupled to the at least one wall and configured to pass an RF communication signal through the at least one wall at a second frequency that is different from the RF charge signal first frequency, and reject communication of the RF charge signal through the at least one wall to prevent the RF charge signal from emanating from the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       2. The RF device charger of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is configured to selectively pass the RF communication signal through the at least one wall as a function of a transmission state of the RF transmitter. 
     
     
       3. The RF device charger of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure has a first state where the RF transmitter is configured to generate the RF charge signal and the switch prevents communication of the RF communication signal through the switch, and a second state where the RF transmitter is not configured to generate the RF charge signal and the switch permits communication of the RF communication signal through the switch. 
     
     
       4. The RF device charger of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure has a third state where the RF transmitter is configured to generate the RF charge signal and the switch permits communication of the RF communication signal through the switch, wherein the switch prevents communication of the RF charge signal through the switch. 
     
     
       5. The RF device charger of  claim 4 , wherein the switch is a switchable antenna. 
     
     
       6. The RF device charger of  claim 5 , wherein the switch comprises a first antenna and a second antenna configured to be selectively coupled to each other. 
     
     
       7. The RF device charger of  claim 6 , wherein the first antenna is exposed to inside the cavity and the second antenna is exposed to outside the enclosure. 
     
     
       8. The RF device charger of  claim 6 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are impedance matched. 
     
     
       9. The RF device charger of  claim 6 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are passive. 
     
     
       10. The RF device charger of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is comprised of a metal material. 
     
     
       11. A method of RF charging a device in an RF device charger, comprising:
 an enclosure having at least one wall encompassing a cavity, wherein the at least one wall encompassing the cavity is configured to prevent communication of RF signals through the at least one wall; 
 a RF transmitter configured to generate an RF charge signal within the cavity at a first frequency, the RF charge signal configured to wirelessly charge a device within the cavity; and 
 a switch coupled to the at least one wall and configured to pass an RF communication signal through the at least one wall at a second frequency that is different from the RF charge signal first frequency, and reject communication of the RF charge signal through the at least one wall to prevent the RF charge signal from emanating from the enclosure; 
 comprising the steps of: 
 placing the device in the enclosure; and 
 RF charging the device in the enclosure, wherein the switch passes the RF communication signal through the at least one wall at the second frequency that is different from the RF charge signal first frequency, and rejects communication of the RF charge signal through the at least one wall to prevent the RF charge signal from emanating from the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the switch selectively passes the RF communication signal through the at least one wall as a function of a transmission state of the RF transmitter. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure has a first state where the RF transmitter is configured to generate the RF charge signal and the switch prevents communication of the RF communication signal through the switch, and a second state where the RF transmitter is not configured to generate the RF charge signal and the switch permits communication of the RF communication signal through the switch. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure has a third state where the RF transmitter is configured to generate the RF charge signal and the switch permits communication of the RF communication signal through the switch, wherein the switch prevents communication of the RF charge signal through the switch. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the switch is a switchable antenna. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the switch comprises a first antenna and a second antenna configured to be selectively coupled to each other. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first antenna is exposed to inside the cavity and the second antenna is exposed to outside the enclosure. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are impedance matched. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are passive. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the enclosure is comprised of a metal material.